US Foreign Policy Leaders Praise Great Council

US Foreign Policy Leaders Praise Historic Holy and Great Council

July 6, 2016, Washington, DC -- Many of the United States' top foreign policy leaders put statements in the Congressional Record and on social media praising Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the historic Holy and Great Council that convened in Crete, Greece June 19-26. Below are excerpts from these statements and links to their full remarks.

Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Ed Royce: "After the September 11, 2001 attacks, the [Ecumenical] Patriarch organized a gathering of religious leaders including Muslim Imams to condemn the attacks as an anti-religious act. Mr. Speaker, the over one million Orthodox Christians in the United States represent diverse backgrounds and cultures. I join them in celebrating this historic meeting." Read the full statement here.

Chairman Emeritus of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: "Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is a renowned person and is no stranger to America where he has been recognized many times for his noteworthy accomplishments. Many will recall that he brought about the world's first statement by Muslim and Christian leaders denouncing the 9/11 attacks as an 'anti-religious' act." Read the full statement here.

Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Eliot Engel: "The Ecumenical Patriarch has an unsurpassed record for steering cooperative effort, adding this remarkable Council to his record of success. Often referred to as the "first among equals" by his followers, the Ecumenical Patriarch maintains collegial relations with other Patriarchs and hierarchical leaders. His effectiveness as a leader is complemented by his gracious and generous spirit." Read the full statement here.

Former US Secretary of State and Presumptive Democratic Nominee for President, Secretary Hillary Clinton: "“All people of faith should welcome the convening of the first Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Christian Church in over 1,200 years by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. I have had the privilege of seeing Patriarch Bartholomew’s spiritual leadership for myself, and am hopeful that the Council will renew ties that have frayed through the centuries—because we are stronger together.” Full statement here.

Former Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Bob Menendez: "Mr. President, Greek-Americans, hailing from 500 churches across this nation, including many in my home state of New Jersey, believe deeply that this Great and Holy Council is a fateful gathering that can have a dramatic impact on their religion and civilization for one thousand more years, that The Council's deliberations will hold great meaning and great promise for a better life for all of us, for peace on this planet, and for the greater good of generations to come." Read the full statement here.

Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Ben Cardin: ""Our world today is in need of this exceptional moral courage, and I applaud Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for convening this Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Christian Churches in Crete, Greece." Read the full statement here.

Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Barbara Mikulski: "The Patriarch has a record of reaching out and working for peace and reconciliation among all faiths, and has fostered dialogue among Christians, Jews and Muslims. His All-Holiness has received awards from the United Nations, the United States and other nations for providing moral leadership throughout modern history's greatest tests. His efforts to convene this Holy and Great Council are a testament to his continued leadership at a time when it is greatly needed." Read the full statement here.

Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Lee Zeldin: "All Christians and all men and women of faith and peace should focus on this Great and Holy Council and the individual who convened the various hierarchs, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. He possibly more than any other Christian leader understands the Muslim world; during his life he has seen Muslim cruelty toward Christians, which has greatly diminished the number of Christians in the Republic of Turkey." Read the full statement here.